Hard drives fail - Systems crash - Files become corrupted
So back up all your data and burn it to a disk.
Then back up your back up because disks fail too.
Of course most people do copy many things to disk already. Popular files are music, pictures, movies and sometimes even text files like word programs, spread sheets and data bases.
But there are other things to consider when backing up as well. Below are 5 things I backup that many people never consider. And it's a good thing I do. Your backup needs may vary from mine.
WINDOWS UPDATES
Go to theWindows update catalog site and download all the critical updates from there to a folder. Then burn to a disk. Then open and run the files to install them. Microsoft has a product life cycle after which you can no longer download them from their regular update site. Should you need to reinstall your operating system you will need these. And it will save a lot of download time for dialup users if they have to do it again.
Support for Windows 98 and Windows ME will end in July 2006. Windows XP support will end sometime too. So turn of that automatic Windows Update crap (which is a resource hog anyway) and instead download your updates to file. Then make two copys to a disk.
PROGRAMS
If you download programs save and install them rather than just installing. This could save an enormous amount of time for dial up users if you can even find them again. Some programs may no longer even be available. Then burn 2 copies to disk for back up purposes only. If you buy the program as a disk you may be able to
make a copy for back up purposes only.
Copying purchased programs for redistribution is illegal.
BOOKMARKS/FAVORITES
Back up your favorites.Finding all those sites again could take months. I have close to 500. Yes I use them all. Mine are saved using the Internet Explorer web browser.
To back up your favorites in Internet Explorer open Internet Explorer. Click File> Import and Export> Next> Export favorites> Next> tick Export to a File or Address> Browse> choose a location to export to> Next> Finish> OK. Now burn 2 copies to disk.
OUTLOOK EXPRESS/MAIL
Back up Outlook Express mail, address book, rules,blocked senders list, user identities and settings. Thats a lot of backup. And to do it you need to back up files as well as backing up portions of the Registry then putting it all back together again.
But if your looking at my site you probably should not be going into your registry. But if you insist I will try to send you a link to microsoft on how to do it. But I will e-mail it to you. I will not link to it here.
A better option to back up Outlook Express is to download a program called OEBackup from Majik's web site. But at least back up the address book manualy.
To back up the OE address book manually open the OE address book click file> export> address book (WAB)> choose where to save and give
the file a name> click save> OK. Burn the saved file to 2 disks.
To create a printable list open the address book and select the address folder you want to print then click edit> select all> file> print.
To back up web based e-mail addresses You better create a text file and save the addresses to it. Because the e-mail server can't help you if you need to get them back. That's the problem with depending on data storage on a web site or server.
I can't help you with backing up using an e-mail client other than Outlook Express. Your on your own with "Outlook" "Eudora" etc. since I don't use them. I really like Outlook Express
USER ID AND PASSWORDS
Back up your user names, IDs and passwords. Create a text file to store them in case you ever forget. I've seen more people unable to access web sites and accounts because they forgot their user ID. And even retrieving passwords can be impossible if you don't have enough information like the answer to a secret question.
This is especially important if you have XP. Especially if you have it set up for more than one user. If you can't log on as administrator you may have severely compromised what you are allowed to do with your computer. This can be overcome but is very difficult and could cause permanent loss of your data and programs and settings.
Remember to make at least two copies for backup.
FINALLY
If you need to keep this info secure lock the disks in a fire safe and bolt it to a concrete floor. Get a guard dog and home security system. Hire a full time Pinkerton security guard and never leave home.
If you think making periodic backups is difficult or time consuming then you really really don't want to spend the time recreating everything from nothing.
For FUN information on backup read THE TAO OF BACKUP. Click on the tao icon to view the next page.
